CLEISTOGAMY Meaning and
Definition
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Cleistogamy is a botanical term that describes a specific type of self-pollination that occurs within certain plants. It refers to the phenomenon where flowers of a plant fertilize themselves without the need for external pollen transfer. In other words, cleistogamy is a mechanism through which plants can reproduce without relying on pollinators, such as bees or wind, to carry pollen from the male reproductive organ (stamen) to the female reproductive organ (pistil).
The term "cleistogamy" is derived from two Greek words: "kleistos," meaning closed, and "gamos," meaning marriage. This implies that the flowers involved in cleistogamy are usually closed and hidden, or inconspicuous, compared to the showy and open flowers typically associated with cross-pollination.
In cleistogamous plants, specialized flowers called cleistogamous flowers are produced. These flowers often remain closed or barely open, preventing cross-pollination and protecting the reproductive structures. The pollen is released within the closed flower and directly reaches the stigma present within the same flower, ensuring self-fertilization.
Cleistogamy is an advantageous reproductive strategy for plants living in environments with limited pollinators or inconsistent availability of pollen vectors. It ensures successful reproduction even in the absence of suitable pollinators or in harsh environmental conditions.
Common examples of plants that exhibit cleistogamy include several species of violets (Viola), hibiscus (Hibiscus), and evening primroses (Oenothera). Cleistogamy has been observed in various plant families and provides an interesting adaptation strategy for plants to overcome challenges associated with pollination.
Common Misspellings for CLEISTOGAMY
- xleistogamy
- vleistogamy
- fleistogamy
- dleistogamy
- ckeistogamy
- cpeistogamy
- coeistogamy
- clwistogamy
- clsistogamy
- cldistogamy
- clristogamy
- cl4istogamy
- cl3istogamy
- cleustogamy
- clejstogamy
- clekstogamy
- cleostogamy
- cle9stogamy
- cle8stogamy
- cleiatogamy
Etymology of CLEISTOGAMY
The word "cleistogamy" comes from two Greek words: "kleistos" meaning "closed" and "gamos" meaning "marriage" or "union". The term was coined in 1878 by the German botanist Wilhelm Pfeffer to describe a phenomenon observed in certain plants where reproduction occurs through self-fertilization within closed or unopened flowers, without the need for pollination. In these plants, the flowers remain closed and are self-pollinated, thereby bypassing the need for external fertilization mechanisms.
Similar spelling words for CLEISTOGAMY
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